“COMPLETE check-up, not just power audit, and fund repairs.”

This is what the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) need, according to Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Ralph Recto following the May 1 power autage that affected thousands of traveling Filipinos.

The NAIA management said it would need P1 billion for a new electrical system.

“Even if this light bulb moment had come too late, after the airport had been hit with electrical crashes, it should be treated as an urgent request. Everytime NAIA is hit with a blackout, the nation gets a blackeye.

“So if the promised power system audit would validate that request, then government should buy it, but not necessarily in the amount floated. Panic buying is the number one procurement sin,” Recto said.

Recto stressed that NAIA has enough funds for the needed budget since it is a corporate profit center for the government.

The gross revenues of Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which runs NAIA, in 2019 was P15.2 billion, Recto disclosed.

“Mula sa kita na ito, ni-remit nito ang P1.8 billion sa Treasury as national government’s share of profits. Dagdag pa ang P2.2 billion na tax payments. Kahit ganun kalaki ang kaltas, it managed to post a net income of P5 billion,” he said.

“Hindi lang MIAA ang kumikita sa airport operations. Tumitiba rin ang mga ahensyang nag-oopisina sa ating pangunahing Paliparan,” the solon added.

He also revealed that from the travel tax alone, the TIEZA was able to collect P7.2 billion in 2019.

“Napag-usapan ang kakulangan ng immigration counters, computers sa NAIA. In finding the culprit, poverty should be the last suspect. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported a gross income of P10.5 billion in 2019. The net income it turned over to the Treasury: P10.5 billion.

“Pati nga Office for Transportation Security – ‘yung tanod ng X-ray machines – ay nakalikom ng P1.1 billion sa loob ng isang taon mula sa Airport Security Fee na naka-tuck in sa airline ticket,” he pointed out.

Recto urged the DOTR to make a complete check-up to its electrical system to avoid the power outage.

“And whatever work to be done should be submitted as one package, so the remedies will not be several Band Aid of cures, but a wellness package,” he said.

Transportation Secretary Jimmy Bautista has the experience and the expertise to undertake NAIA’s urgent to-do-list – the ones which are not cosmetic, but essential, Recto said.